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Visit Date: 10/21/16
Steps: 13,579
Parks Miles: 5.1
Time in Parks: 9

 
Trip Log:

Arrived at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure just after lunch and was directed into a spot on the far side of the garage. Spent some time observing the Star Wars construction then boarded a tram to the parks. First stop today Disneyland. Wandered around Main Street USA checking out some of the Halloween decorations then Christmas merchandise. Eventually made it to the hub and then verred into Frontierland. Took a look at Star Wars from there and then walked through New Orleans Square to grab a FastPass for Haunted Mansion. Strolled back through New Orleans, stopping at the Train Station then passing through Frontierland to the hub. Took a left through the Castle and into Fantasyland on my way to Toontown. Doubled back through Fantasyland and around the Matterhorn to Tomorrowland. Stopped by the Launch Bay then back to the hub, crossed in front of Soundsational and stuck around to watch a little of the parade before making my way back to the Rivers of America and out toward the Haunted Mansion. Used my FastPass then returned to Main Street for a quick visit to the Opera House and the nightly Flag Retreat before heading to Disney California Adventure. Strolled up Buena Vista Street, around Carthay Circle and down Hollywood Blvd. Passed through the Backlot then took Sunset Blvd passed the Tower of Terror and into Bugs Land. Returned to the parade route and walked up to Cars Land and then through the Wharf to the Pier. Decided to head for the Grand Californian to grab some dinner at White Water Snacks and check out the Halloween display in the lobby. Made my way to Downtown Disney and stopped to listen to a Pollka Band on the main stage, took a look at the Food Truck court then walked back through Downtown Disney watching a couple of the other performers. Stopped by World of Disney/La Brea Bakery to catch a set by the Scarolers then returned to Disney California Adventure. Made my way up Buena Vista Street and the Parade Route to the Bugs Theater for a preview of Moana then walked through Bugs and into Hollywood Land to see the Dr. Strange Preview. Walked back past Tower of Terror and through Bugs to Cars Land. Roamed around Radiator Springs for a while then returned to Buena Vista Street and decided to head for the parking structure to catch the fireworks before heading home.

Other Interesting Stats:
* Moderate Walking Stats (meaning over 2.5mph): 9,660 steps, 83 minutes.


For Comparisons to other trips or more park miles click here to visit our park Miles Section.

Note: These totals may be skewed because the pedometer is zero'd when we start and then left alone and read when we leave. So attractions, and other things may cause extra "steps" to be counted. The pedometer that we use basically measures up/down motion as a step, so if your standing in line and moving up and down it may be counting steps, etc.. so the total distances traveled and steps may be off.. so use these as rough distance comparisons between trips and they may not be accurate in terms of actual distance traveled.
Pictures & Video From this Trip:


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My Thoughts & Observations:

Hello everyone,

This time of year at the parks is always a bit odd. Halloween is drawing to an end and they are ramping up for the Christmas season. The weather can be all over the place too. Friday the parks were busy as you would expect. I was hoping the heat, it was 95 degrees when I arrived, would help, but no such luck. Wait times were moderate most of the afternoon with just a couple of the usual suspects over an hour and really only the Tower of Terror really bad.

Thoughts and Observations:

  • Parking was surprisingly easy again. It seems the plans that are currently in place are making it easier to park, or maybe I am extremely lucky with my timing. This was not the case a couple of years ago when Halloween Parties meant a nightmare to park. I exited the freeway and found the overpass open so headed right into the structure. Found a line with no one in it. Was directed up to the 5th floor. Had a spot far from the escalators, but right by the exit ramp so no driving around the garage to park or exit which was nice.

  • Star Wars construction continuing to roll along. They were working during the day and evening again. This week you could see glimpses of more wire mesh/rock work taking shape as they continue the rapid pace needed to get the Rivers of America area reponed. In the Star Wars area itself the foundation and basement for one of the attraction show buildings is moving along.

  • Interesting the Main Street Station was closed, I saw on Twitter others saying this for the past few weeks. A train was there, just no guest access. Guess they are trying to save some money and only staffing the one station now? I did not see any other work going on.

  • Christmas has taken over the Disney Showcase on Main Street USA. It was awkward walking through Town Square sweating because of the 90 degree weather, pumpkins on my left and on my right a Christmas window. Christmas is showing up elsewhere on stage and backstage around the parks. From the tram you could see the Christmas tree waiting to be assembled backstage. Bugs Land has received its decorations and Cars Land preparations are underway.

  • I stopped by the Star Wars Launch Bay and it was really quiet inside. Wait times were posted in the 20 min. range. No visible signs of work on the second floor.

  • The Opera House display showcasing the past, present and tomorrow for Disneyland has been updated to feature three pieces of artwork from the Star Wars project. All have been released before. It would have been nice to see something new/different. But at least it was updated finally to show something that is coming. Wonder if a preview center is still planned for the project. It would have been really nice to see a preview of the Rivers of America on display in the Train Station or Opera House.

  • Over at Disney California Adventure I looked around Buena Vista Street and did not find any Fall/Halloween Buena Vista Bugles. I have not seen any for this season yet, has anyone?

  • The Grand Californian Hotel Lobby has a Halloween display again this year. This time around it is a Pump-"Cake" Patch created by the team. If you are at the resort be sure to stop by to see what the creative team has constructed. It is an impressive and fun creation.

  • I had not spent time in Downtown Disney in a while so decided to walk through Friday evening and try to catch some of the performers. The live entertainment did not disappoint with a variety of acts including a Polka Band, Scareolers (an a cappella group), to a violinist and guitarist. In the park area near ESPN there were three Food Trucks also. I had a great time just walking around and enjoying the entertainment. The crowds were fairly heavy since it was a Friday evening but still manageable.

  • I decided to head back to the parks just after 7pm and was dreading the security lines. Last visit I had friends get stuck in the lines around the same time and it took them almost half an hour to get into the parks. Friday was a breeze, maybe a handful of guests at each line only, they had a large number of cast members working and it seemed every line was open and moving. This week though the lines to get into DCA were substantially longer stretching out to the midpoint of the Esplanade almost all the way across. So that took some time to get through.

  • A Moana Preview has moved into the Bugs Theater. A sign out front, posters on the exit walkway and background music are all I noticed for this preview. The film is shown in 3D and features a series of clips and rough plot of the film. As you would expect the in theater effects are used. I stopped by around 7:30 and the theater was very full, probably 4/5ths. Listening to people around me most were interested and looking forward to seeing the film.

  • A Doctor Strange preview has taken over the Sunset Showcase Theater. There are some banners, posters and other signage up. The lobby features a costume from the film. The preview is much like the others lasting about 10 minutes, shown in 3D and using some of the in theater effects. I did find it interesting how they used the side screens this time. The audience for this preview was substantially smaller than the Moana group. This was just after 8pm, but the theater was maybe 1/4 full. Because people were spread out I did not overhear too many conversations so not sure the generally feeling people had about it. for me it seems a little too out there.

Here are some recent posts to the Geek's Blog:

Geek's Blog Postings Recap – September 27-October 11, 2016

Disney Related Press Releases

Be sure to check out the picture update that goes with this Geekspeak column, it can be found in our Disneyland Resort Pictorial Update section

Trip logs and mileage reports are in the Park Miles section.

Send comments, questions, any other email to: disneygeek@disneygeek.com
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